Almost February already!

Admin note first: If you are being forwarded these posts in your email, and don't see images, please check your email settings to allow images, if you don't want to actually read by clicking on the link in the email. (Gmail for instance has a setting in each received email that will "allow display" for each individual email, or "always allow from this source".) Different browsers, cookies, cache and operating systems will also affect the appearance and information "allowed" to display in these emails. Karin and i work hard to get the information to you in a timely manner and appreciate your patience and good will in fixing problems.

 SDA Canada Show update:

Can *you* help? Want to be more involved in your area/group?

(Again, our apologies if the jpg does not show in a forwarded email, see Admin note at beginning of post please.)

VIDEO:

Canada, and North America itself, does not have the same long historical records in and of textile arts that Europe and the "Old World" does. We are not able to claim and  to exclaim over Bayeux Tapestries, gorgeous Renaissance Ecclesiastical robes, or examples of Middle Ages needlework done on this continent. We do however have a few artists who are starting to work with old imagery from the first explorers, as witnessed by the work of Heather Cameron (Gabriola Island BC) as she "translates" the Codex Canadensis manuscript into embroidery.



Specific entries about this project can be found on a dedicated page here and in entries about the original artist Father Louis Nicholas, a Jesuit priest and would be scholar.


On a side note, the main SDA newsblog has a thought provoking post about the use of cultural symbols, their exploitation, misinterpretations and violation of intellectual property rights. (I am NOT however intimating that Heather is breaking any such issues!)


Miscellaneous interest:

Student Art Guide "This website has been created to help high school Art students excel. It contains ideas, help and guidance from students and teachers around the world." While it is focused on secondary and post secondary education, it is a good resource for developing basic skills in drawing, painting and various sub genres and applications. Joining is free and there's quite a bit of interesting information, as well as forums, galleries and resource links. I joined awhile ago, but haven't posted as i feel a bit out of my league in some areas, *and* due to my age! :)



A wonderful design and historical research project here. The Harris Museum and Art Gallery has digitized the 700 textile samples from The Textile Manufactures of India, an 18 volume set of fabric sample books put together in 1866 by John Forbes Watson and published by the India Office of the British Government.


A bit of fluff for fun:

I think whomever wrote the descriptions for these fashionable ladies from 1883 would be very good at ArtSpeak :)

What sort of presentation do you use for your textile art? Do you add the obligatory "sleeve" on the back following the Quilt Show Rules, or do you mount on canvases? If you need help to figure this out, there's a clear tutorial here.



How to broaden your market--off line in a real gallery? Online? Tips and things to remember.

Please send information about your own workshops, exhibits, publications etc to Karin or myself for inclusion on this blog. Promote yourself!

Spectacle and then Review of meeting January 2014

SDA Member Angela Dale sent me information about this fashion event in Calgary, scheduled for March 1, 2014.
Go here for more information: -

Social January 2014 - Successful Meeting of Minds

Highlights: -

• Wonderful friends meet to discuss art and culture
• The fantastic setting of Lynda's home… stimulating art all around
• The food, thanks to culinary delights from our members, visitors and Chef Kat
• Show, tell and requests for advice on work in progress:-

My humorous/less titles….

1. "Don't like colour" - Terri
2. "Don't need colour" - Susan
3. I'm likin' your collage - Wendy
4. Edgy wings on silk scarf - Dana
5. Bees buzz above  - Dana
6. Selective rubbing - transition - Linda
7. Stunning Nuno - Siri
8. and  Finished - Lynda

Click to enlarge the images
All images courtesy of the artists

From Quilt series 1

Terri Illingworth

 Geometrics

Susan Wittrup

 Inner Joy

Susan Wittrup

Work in progress - Base design, Lichens will be added "On the Surface"

Wendy Klotz

(Is this a piece for our SDA:Alberta show, What's on the Surface? …perhaps? - Ed.)

 Work in progress 

Linda Hawke

Projects in Nuno

Siri Djuve

Mixed Media 

Hand dyed fabrics: cotton and silk.  Acrylic painted paper and printed fabric. Hand stitched 

Lynda Williamson

Did I forget anyone?

Business meeting included a discussion of activities that need to be completed to keep the group running actively and share the sense of involvement.

So that we share the tasks, as you see, we need more names against each item.

If you are willing to be part of the teams responsible for any of these activities please email me directly, I am waiting for your email.

• Set up exhibitions - WPG, SFH, SK
• Lend projector - WPG
• Create evite/posters - sending out same to social media (could be one job) - BO, D
• Carry out admin for exhibitions 
• Arrange and dispatch refreshments for meetings - LB, AB, TI
• Arrange set up / take down at meetings - DB, SK
• Sourcing projector for meetings - DB
• Ticket sales (front of house) - LW, W, JS
• Arrange food/restaurant outing for visiting artist - SG
• Arrange thank you gift for visitors - SFH
• Collate RSVP's for events - WHW
• Computer work - WHW
• Getting bank float for ticketed events - WK
• Researching venues - SFH, SK
• Host visiting artists - WK, LH

October end

EXHIBITIONS:

Room by Martina MacFarlane and Amanda McCavour, Art Gallery of Saint Albert, St Albert, AB


Date: October 3 - November 2, 2013
Location: Art Gallery of Alberta, 19 Perron Street, St. Albert, AB

Room features large acrylic paintings by Martina MacFarlane and thread installation works by Amanda McCavour. This exhibition presents notions of the home as both a physical and en emotional space.


For further information visit: artgalleryofstalbert.ca


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Diane Krys

I'm very pleased to offer an invitation to my first solo show. I'm  honored to be having it at the Alberta Craft Council's Discovery Gallery from Oct 26-Nov30, 2013.   My journey with fiber started with rug hooking. It opened my eyes to the wider world of fiber and I soon went on to learn and explore many other techniques and mediums including knitting, crocheting, wet and dry felting.  A few years ago these parallel explorations began to merge as I developed my own techniques to bring knitting, felting and rug hooking together  in my work.  I created a new language  that allowed me to express myself  in a completely new way.  Flat planes of color and pattern have become sculptural expressions with new stories to share.

 I would love to meet more of my fellow SDA members and other fiber enthusiasts. I welcome you to come and say hello at the artist's reception on Saturday Nov.2 from 2-4. Please feel free to get in touch any other time as well.  It doesn't take much to lure me out to talk about art and fiber! (Diane Krys)
Diane also ha sguest blogged here and here.





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On a side note, Diane Duncan's group show at the Canyon Meadows Community Hall was attended by almost 500 people! A well rounded and diverse show, you can see some of it here. I was amazed at the variety of work!


WORKSHOPS:

 Terriea Kwong - international felting artist coming to Langley. Get excited...please help me give a big welcome to Terriea Kwong! She is coming to North America to teach many felt making classes! Starting November 25, Terriea Kwong will be sharing her expertise with us in making a 3D felt clutch purses, or a 3D vessels and/or Eco print scarves. 

    Below is a sneak peak at Terriea's background!

        I love travel and nature.   Natural and handmade crafts are my favorites.  I enjoy the process of handmaking from ceramics to fabrics & fibres.    Some years ago I saw a seamless  wool pouch in a  Cambridge crafts market and wondering how it’s made.  My curiosity brought me to source the roots of felt making. Found wool a marvelous medium and addicted to felt making since 2009.  My passion drives me to pursue  and explore the versatility of wool.

Wool felt is my favorite pastime and I’m very pleased to share with like-minded.   Since 2009 I’ve offered  almost 50 open and private workshops .  I love fibre art and have recently explored eco dyeing and printing.  My works  are  inspired by nature.  I like to do eco prints with leaves – the environmental friendly art.   It’s fun to share the beauty of felting and tutorials  via my blog http://terriekwong.blogspot.com. Please check out  Terriea's blog to see all the wonderful pictures of her work.
Natural print scarf:
    Using natural resources to create unique scarf with leaves prints. Students are taught to make prints with shades of rose leaves and eucalyptus prints on silk scarves. And while the bundles are boiling we will make a wool felt flower brooch or bracelet. 

    Two Dates:
    November 25, 2013 and/or November 30,2013 (this is the same class just two different days)
    Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
    Place: Langley, BC  (walnut grove area) please message me for the address
    Fee: $125.00 incl. materials.
    ** please note: students must bring two bath size towels
   
Wool felt clutch with 3D textural flap :
    The wool felt clutch (handbag) with 3D texture is a unique design of the flap.  After learning the technique of making the 3D textural surface, students can apply such design on other wool felt objects to create the rich texture look

    Date: November 26, 2013
    Time: 10:00 - approximately 4:00 pm
    Place: Langley, BC ( walnut grove area, please message me for the address)
    Fee: $95.00 incl. materials.
    

    3D hollow vessel:
    The 3D hollow vessel will be a fun class learning how to make seamless items to hold many of your favourite things. Once you learn this technique you will have endless ideas for future hollow projects!
    Date: November 27, 2013
    Time: 10:00 - 3:00pm
    Place: Langley, BC ( walnut grove area, please message me for the address)
    Fee: $75.00 incl. materials.
  
If you would like to experience a wonderful time with Terriea Kwong who is a well known international felt maker please contact Sharon Gerhart at 604 916-7633  or email her at gerhart.sharon@gmail.com to book your seat! Seating is limited book your class now as classes will fill up quickly!





MISCELLANEOUS:



Arts For All Grant Program
Deadlines: November 15, 2013 & May 30, 2014

The Arts for All Program is open to individuals, collectives and organizations and will fund art projects that will increase artistic activities and opportunities within the Greater Forest Lawn community. Preference will be given to applicants who are located in Greater Forest Lawn, although applicants from outside the community will also be considered if their projects value participation from local artists and community members as well as the participation of artists, organizations and community members from diverse backgrounds. Applicants are encouraged to connect with International Avenue BRZ early in their project planning to get acquainted with the community and learn about opportunities available, such as artBOX on 17E.

Further Information:
View grant description here
Contact Cadence Mandybura (Community Manager, Calgary Arts Development)
403.264.5330 ext 201 (office) | cadence.mandybura@calgaryartsdevelopment.com

Artist Opportunity Grant Program
Deadline: ongoing

The Artist Opportunity Grant Program is being piloted in 2013 and 2014 to invest in professional development opportunities for individual professional artists With no set deadlines for applications, the program will allow artists to take advantage of short-term opportunities that will develop their careers.

If you have questions about the program or the application process, please email grants@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or call 403.476.203. Learn more here

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New website for Calgary artisans: New Craft Coalition

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Craft Sale: Edmonton Weavers' Guild - Edmonton, AB
Date: Saturday, November 2, 10am - 3:30 pm Location: Strathcona Community League, 10139 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB Admission: $3.00

 The Edmonton Weavers' Guild is holding their annual Weaving, Spinning & Fibreworks Show & Sale. All sale items have been juried to ensure you will find nothing but the best in artisan products. For more information visit: http://edmontonweavers.org/

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GIVE IT YOUR BEST SWATCH! Contribute your work to the history of textile art & design.

Now soliciting new swatches for "Best Of" Swatch Collection #4 - loaded with examples of innovative process, masterful application plus any downright gorgeous or distinctive fabric you've created.

 DEADLINE:  DECEMBER 1 Download Submission Guidelines + Form at www.surfacedesign.org/get-involved/sda-swatch-collection 

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 ELEANOR HANNAN

Anni Hunt has produced a video of an interview with Eleanor Hannan, whom many of you know either as an artist, friend or teacher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Kt2ZpKL7o&feature=youtu.be

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COMMON THREADS

 Thomas Roach and Sheila Wex gave a presentation last month at the Vancouver SDA show, about the Common Threads project. Some of you may be interested in following the progress of that project - check out http://common-threads-125.tumblr.com/ for lots of pics and information. We in the Lower Mainland will have a chance to see the completed masterpieces hanging in the Cathedral, in due course.


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We *will* be doing a "report" on the Oct 17th meeting with Lois Klassen and the "Slofemist Project", but are waiting for more photos and information!

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I (arlee) have "nagged" everyone about sharing information on the blog so we can all get to know each other, and Karin reminded me that i too am capable of doing that, so...... i'm personally pleased to have several online interviews this month. They are similar, but answer different questions. Ancora part 1      Ancora part 2   TextileArtist.org part 1